Original subtitles

You have a minute?

If this is about the kiss last night...

It's not.

But... as far as first kisses go...

Listening.

It wasn't bad.

I mean, we didn't knock heads or teeth.

But hey, if you have any notes...

No complaints.

Something going on with you?

Not me specifically,

but some people I love, yeah.

I saw Nicole coming out of your office earlier.

Is this about that?

It is.

And if it's not too much to ask,

I could really use your advice.

Ah...

Another tequila, please.

A-Another tequila, please.

- Coming up. - Thanks.

Got your text.

What's going on?

Just getting my drink on.

Bartender? Another tequila,

and this one's for my friend.

Just water for me, thanks.

No problem.

Are you seriously gonna make me drink alone?

First,

not making you do anything.

Second, I left the office as soon as you asked,

and I'm right here next to you, so,

you're definitely not drinking alone.

Are you patronizing me?

Of course not, it's just

when you texted asking me to join you here,

you didn't say anything about day drinking.

And you don't want to go back to the office

with liquor on your breath.

That, and I also need a few brain cells

to actually get any work done.

Oh, well, I am so sorry for bothering you.

You should just go on back to the office.

I know how important it is for you to make partner.

Kat, it's not as important as you are to me.

Will you please just tell me what's going on?

I just... I wanted a little company.

I might buy that if you weren't drinking tequila,

which always gives you a terrible headache the next day.

Oh...

I forgot about that.

What I was hoping to forget is...

My Gran has breast cancer.

[door closes]

Hey, what are you doing home?

I was just coming to meet you at the bell festival.

Did you forget something?

I canceled.

Why? You've been talking about that event for weeks.

Something came up.

You and Shonda have been working overtime on your visibility.

A public event like this

national tradition, first day of the year

it practically screams re-election optics.

I mean, what could be more important than that?

Family.

Family is more important.

??

Hello, sweetheart.

- Bill. - Vernon.

Is this a bad time?

I wasn't sure if Mother would be napping, or...

ANITA: I can hear you from in here, you know.

Definitely not napping.

- Sweetheart. - Hi.

What brings you both here?

I wanted to come by and say in person how very sorry I am.

And we know that Naomi and Chelsea dropped by before.

We are so sorry that we didn't talk to them first.

You don't have to worry about the girls.

They took the news with

the courage and strength I knew that they would.

I wish there had been a better way to tell someone you love

that you have a monster living inside of you, and

one you may have passed on to them.

I'm not sure I'm the best person to weigh in on you and Nicole.

It's not like that.

And I don't just want your advice as a friend,

but as a medical professional.

Whatever you need, Ted.

Thanks.

But can we do it someplace a little less central?

It's Nicole's mother.

She has breast cancer, and it's very aggressive.

Oh, no.

They're getting right to work on it,

which is the good news, but the bad news is

the cancer is a result of

Anita having a variant of the BRCA gene.

So, Nicole could carry it, too, which means...

Your children could carry it as well.

I know there has to be a lot of testing done

before anything is certain,

but I want to be there for them, all of them.

Of course you do.

You know, a year ago I wouldn't have

had the slightest question about what to do,

- but now... - Now that you're divorced,

you don't know what role you can play.

Carlton used to be my go-to

when I wanted to sort things out, but...

Under the circumstances, that is no longer an option.

I'm sorry if I'm overstepping.

If you are about to apologize for turning to me,

you can stop that silliness right now.

Hmm, guess you put me in my place, huh?

Friend to friend?

You are way overthinking this.

You and Nicole are divorced but she is still your family.

Same with those kids. So you do right by all of them.

Don't let the title change get in the way.

I'm so sorry about your grandmother.

It's... it's

"hard" isn't even the word.

I can only imagine.

I'd like to ask you for one favor, though.

You're right. Thanks.

Hydration is your friend.

You must be feeling a million different things right now.

Gran being sick

those words don't even go together.

That woman doesn't just fill up a room, she fills up a stadium.

She's been this force my entire life.

None of us would be who we are

if it weren't for her and Granddad.

And all that power and focus will help her

get through this current situation.

And if she occasionally needs a little bit extra,

you and your family have

strength enough to support a small nation.

The heart of this family is my grandmother.

What do we do if we lose her?

Bill and I spoke to the girls about getting tested

if I'm carrying the gene variant,

and they are 100% on board.

We're not surprised.

When we spoke, I made sure that they understood the risks.

But what they care about the most is you, Anita,

and seeing you through this.

You know, they know what's important right now,

the same way Dani and I do.

ANITA: Thank you.

You know, all this deep conversation

has me feeling parched.

Anita, I know you could use something to drink, too.

Dani, come with me, let's get everyone some lemonade.

Of course.

Hey, Dad.

Listen, I want to apologize again

for not talking to Chelsea and Naomi sooner.

I don't want to put any more stress on Mother.

Of course not.

But we are both a little concerned

that you brought Bill here with you.

You're reading too much into this, Daddy.

Bill and I were together when we spoke to Chelsea and Naomi,

and he wanted to come by

to express his sympathy to Mother personally.

Those are good reasons.

But you're hoping there aren't some not-so-good reasons?

It feels like I'm seeing more of you these days

than when you were married to Dani.

Well... that's a bit of an exaggeration,

but we do keep winding up in each other's

orbit lately, don't we?

Your presence was a strong and welcome one

during Chelsea's crisis.

Yeah.

I just hate that the family is dealing

with yet another crisis.

When I saw you in the hospital, Anita,

I had no idea you were going through all this.

Neither did I.

But life comes at you so fast.

Tell me about it.

And I say that as someone who was sidelined

by a stroke out of the blue.

And look at you now.

I've recovered, yes.

I have no doubt that you will, too.

- That is the hope. - Mm-hmm.

But if I may be so bold...

Are you ever anything but?

I have a little advice for you

about your upcoming journey.

[sighs] I can't

wrap my head around something like this happening to Anita.

She's always been so...

Invincible.

I know, and I've been clinging to that

as a reason to stay positive.

But the type of cancer Gran has is pretty damn aggressive.

She has a long road ahead of her.

A road she won't be traveling alone.

None of you will be,

especially if it turns out that...

One step at a time.

Mom has to get tested. Aunt Dani, too.

And we just pray that the results come negative

so there aren't any more questions

about the next generation.

Which includes you.

Of course, but that doesn't matter now.

I wish that I could have been with you when your mom

filled you in on everything.

So do I.

And hearing about Gran and how it impacts Mom...

How did Kat take it?

She's devastated.

And she's worried about Gran and Mom like we all are.

But, I wish she were a little more worried about herself.

You're right about my love-hate relationship with tequila.

I am not looking forward

to waking up tomorrow to face how much it hates me.

If I got news like this about my abuelita,

I'd be tempted to have a drink, too.

What else did the doctor say?

About Gran's treatment?

Um... they're going to start immediately.

They have to, in her situation.

Chemo, surgery, and then

they'll see where things stand.

I'm sure Vernon and your parents are using all their connections

to make sure Miss Anita receives the best possible care.

Mm-hmm.

Must be handy having doctors in the family.

- [chuckles] - [phone buzzing]

Why don't you want to talk to your dad? He might have news.

I probably shouldn't talk to anyone

after those tequila shots.

I was pretty mean to you.

Good point.

Let's improve your temper

by putting some distance between you and the tequila.

Can I take you home?

Okay.

Any luck reaching the family?

I tried Kat, but she didn't pick up.

Well, I know her phone is damn near surgically attached,

but it is possible that she put it down,

just for a moment.

Possible, yes, but not likely.

Maybe she's talking to someone right now about the situation.

I mean, she has to be pretty anxious,

knowing Nicole is getting tested

and what a positive result would mean for her.

This is between us,

but when Nicole told Kat she might need to get tested too,

Kat said she didn't want to.

Why is that?

She doesn't want to know the worst

if there's nothing she can do to change it.

I can understand that,

but if Nicole tests positive... and we all pray

that's not the case... Kat is just sticking her head

in the sand by refusing to get tested.

Depending on the BRCA mutation,

chances are anywhere from 45 to 70%

that she tests positive if Nicole does, too.

Those are some scary numbers.

And I for one am terrified.

[sighs]

It's bad enough with Nicole, but if Kat and Martin...

There's no need to go there yet.

Nicole wanted me to change Kat's mind about getting tested,

but things have been so scratchy between us since

me and Eva started getting close.

The ice finally started to thaw over the holidays,

but we're nowhere near where we were before.

And what with the distance between us,

and as determined as Nicole made Kat sound,

I don't even know where to begin the conversation.

You're selling yourself short, Ted.

You know your daughter, maybe even better than Nicole.

I have a feeling that when you see Kat,

the words will just come.

[phone chimes]

Oh, I have to check on Mrs. Willis.

I'll talk to you later. Shanice?

Thank you.

Please.

I just said out loud what you were already thinking.

No more day drinking for me.

Can I get you anything? More water?

Yes, please.

[phone chimes]

What's that? You avoiding someone?

It's just the office.

I'll call them back later.

Right, I'm keeping you from work.

You should go back.

Not until I'm sure you're okay.

No, no, I'm fine.

Chelsea texted me while we were in the car.

She should be home soon, and when she gets here,

we'll probably have a good cry about Gran.

So you can go back to the office guilt-free.

It's not guilt. I want to be here for you.

And you are.

You left work and you're sitting right here beside me.

And now you can leave.

I'm sorry if I was a little harsh earlier.

When I said becoming partner mattered to you.

That was the tequila talking.

It should matter.

Your ambition is one of the things I love most about you.

You're sure you want me to leave?

Absolutely.

You showed up for me today. You've met your quota.

But tomorrow, you can do it all over again.

And again, and again.

I never thought Kat, of all people, would be

unwilling to face facts.

Neither did I. But something like this?

You never know how someone is going to react.

And I assume you tried to convince her to get tested?

For all the good that did.

My mom told me to back off for now, and I will,

but at least this gives Kat

a little more time to reconsider.

And if Mom's results are negative,

all of this is moot.

- For you, too. - Of course.

But my focus is Gran and Mom.

Well

you are my focus.

So you're just going to have to accept that.

Gratefully accepted.

Oh!

Wait, no, I...

I just remembered something.

Oh, my kisses restore memories now?

Yeah, thanks, Superman.

No, but a few years ago,

I did a story on public and private sources

of financing for cancer research,

and I developed a contact at MD Anderson,

a doctor in Texas.

It's the largest cancer center in the world.

Is there any chance you still...

You know me, I never lose a contact.

And I would be happy to reach out to her

with any questions that you or anybody might have.

And maybe she can give us some ammo to

try to get Kat to reconsider.

Convincing Kat?

That's not a research thing,

that's a "move heaven and earth" kind of thing.

- Yeah. - But please, make the call.

And the info you find out may help move the needle with Kat,

and also help Gran beat this thing.

I know that my stroke was nothing

compared to what you're facing,

but when the reality of it first hit me, I felt something

very unfamiliar to me.

Helplessness.

Now, I know that you're the great Anita Dupree.

- You got that right. - Right, yeah, but,

I suspect that when you learned about your diagnosis,

you felt the same thing I felt,

however brief.

- Go on. - Well,

getting knocked down that hard, that fast

threw me off, you know.

Caught me completely off guard.

It made me realize that no matter how often

I hit the gym or the courts or the links,

that no matter how much I strut around

like I'm a man half my age...

With a woman half your age.

Even with all that,

my body still ended up failing me, you know?

I mean, it was frustrating as hell

thinking that I had lost all control, and the,

and the idea of having to rely on other people?

That was almost worse than the illness itself.

I know you well enough to know that that must be

going through your mind, too.

You're worried about being vulnerable,

about being the one who needs

rather than the one who gives, and Anita

my advice is

drop those concerns.

Just drop them.

Don't be as prideful and as stubborn as I was.

You accept every bit of help that comes your way.

And when it comes to your health and your inevitable recovery,

you get to be as selfish as you want to be,

and no one will think any less of you.

As a matter of fact,

they'll be even more in awe of you than ever.

People want to help you, Anita.

Let them.

You do not have to worry about Bill

or there being a Bill and me again.

I certainly hope not.

Frankly, I expected you to lean on your new husband

rather than your old one at a time like this.

I will be doing plenty of leaning on Andre.

He is my rock.

But Chelsea and Naomi need both of their parents right now,

and that's all this is.

If you say so.

I do.

Now let's go get some lemonade to bring back

before Mother and Bill realize

that your being parched was a ruse.

Dad?

I'm sorry for not calling first,

but if you're not going to answer...

- Or let me in? - Oh, sorry.

Um...

I was with Tomas when you called.

Oh, I suppose that's an acceptable reason

for sending me to voicemail,

as long as that's the only reason.

When I saw the caller ID,

I figured I knew why you wanted to talk to me.

Mm.

Mom told you?

Everything.

But first things first.

I'm so sorry about your Gran.

I know how hard this is on all of you.

I couldn't even process the words

when they came out of Mom's mouth.

It was like she was speaking a foreign language or something.

Yeah, I barely understood them myself.

Before your mother explained all the other concerns.

I knew it.

You came here to get me to change my mind

about getting tested.

No, baby.

That's not even close.

Is Bill around? I was out of the office for a bit,

so thought I should check in.

Yes, well, you're not the only one

who's "been out of the office for a bit."

Is everything okay?

Of course.

You know, it seems like the whole office

has something more important to do today

than to actually be here working.

It's New Year's.

[scoffs] For everybody, yeah,

except the folks planning to make 2026 count.

Like Pauline... she's practically chained to her desk.

Have you seen her billable hours?

That woman is gunning for partner like it's personal.

That makes two of us.

You think Bill doesn't know who's here and who's not?

I'm here now.

And sometimes, something comes up that's more important.

Rowena sure hasn't lost her touch

when it comes to making lemonade.

But Dani, I'll let you know

when I have any conversations with the girls.

You better.

It's good to see you, Vernon.

I know there's no good time to just drop by these days,

but Dani and I... you know, we just wanted to touch base

and clear the air about the mix-up with the girls.

It's all right.

- Thanks for coming over, Bill. - Yep.

And, Anita,

I hope you'll consider what I said to you.

[door closes]

Bill gave you advice?

Don't worry, I'll consider the source.

Sweetheart, I am feeling a little tired.

I think I'll go upstairs and lie down for a bit.

I'll come up with you.

Dani, you can see yourself out.

Actually, Daddy...

If you don't mind,

I have something to run by you.

I know my way upstairs, I'll just take the elevator.

But when you and Dani are finished, I...

I wouldn't mind a little company.

[chuckles]

Love you.

So, what can I do for you?

I know all of this

- has been very... - Stop right there.

Daddy, you got me alone before

because you wanted to talk to me about Bill.

Now it's my turn to talk to you.

About you.

We're both crossing our fingers that your mother

will test negative for this gene that's been

giving your Gran so much trouble.

And if that's the case, then some of our concerns

become irrelevant.

But if the news is bad,

we both know you have a choice to make.

And I've already made that choice.

Which is your right.

As I said, it is your choice.

Not mine, not your mother's, not your brother's.

And whatever you decide, we will love and support you.

I know how frightening this is for me.

I can't imagine how you feel

when it's your body that's in question.

You have every reason to be scared.

I am.

But sometimes,

talking about the scary thing takes its power away.

Baby, you can always talk to me, tell me what you're thinking,

I will always be a safe space for you.

I used to tell you everything.

Mm-hmm.

I've missed that.

I've missed that, too.

You remember when you were little

and scared of the dark, you never wanted to go to bed.

So we developed a ritual, hmm?

You would walk in the bedroom with me, holding my hand,

and then...

I would slay the dragon.

Under the bed, in the closet...

And that sneaky one behind the nightstand.

- Mm. - Mm-hmm.

I would make it safe,

so my little princess could fall asleep.

What I wouldn't give for an imaginary dragon.

Instead of all of this.

I know you're all grown up now

and you don't need your dad to slay any dragons anymore,

and these days, you probably feel more comfortable

confiding in someone your age, like Chelsea or Tomas.

Sometimes it's not easy, even with them.

My point is, I'm here, too.

My point is...

I will always need my daddy.

And you will always be my princess.

How's Vernon doing?

This whole thing must be rough on him, too.

On the outside?

He was the Granddad we all know and love.

The patriarch of the family.

The role that fits him like a glove.

But something was off.

Smitty, something inside

it's like he was putting on a brave face for me and for her,

not wanting to show us that he was struggling.

He's facing the possibility that he might lose

the person he loves most in this world.

Who he planned on spending the rest of his life with.

I want to be someone he can lean on right now.

Then you will be.

I'll make you a deal.

You worry about Vernon.

That'll be easy.

And I

will worry about you.

Tomas. Hey.

Were you looking for me?

I just wanted to check in.

I had to leave the office to deal with something for a bit,

a... personal matter.

Hmm, yeah. You know, I have a feeling

that it's the same kind of personal matter

I've been dealing with.

How's Kat holding up?

Honestly? She's scared.

Yeah, I can imagine.

And not just for her grandmother, either.

You know, both my girls are pretty shaken up

about the possibility of them inheriting this.

BRCA gene variant responsible for Anita's cancer.

Well, hopefully we'll all get some good news soon.

Caroline, can you please pull this case for me...

Oh, it's you.

What's wrong with you?

Earlier, I told you I was

going to meet you at the office, and here I am.

Oh, was that just today? It feels like ages ago.

So, how's Dani?

No. Come on, don't be that way.

When I left the house, I told you it was

about something important.

Yeah, without telling me why.

Because I had to get all the information first, okay?

And I need to see my girls.

You know how important my kids are to me.

How about the-the kid you were so eager to make with me?

It's not a contest, Hayley.

Look...

When you hear what I have to tell you,

you'll know you don't have to worry about Dani.

Mother is upstairs,

so you can let your shields come down.

[chuckles]

And...

What shields might these be?

The ones you keep around yourself

so you can protect the rest of us.

You make me sound like

I should have a letter on my chest

and a cape on my back.

Not all heroes wear capes.

And you will always be our hero, Daddy.

Even...

Especially if you show us what you're feeling.

I know you are used to fixing everything for everybody else,

but there is a limit to even your powers.

Don't you think I know that?

I do.

We are all rocked by what is happening to Mother.

And we are focusing all of our energy

on being strong for her.

And no one has been stronger than you.

I've been watching you, too,

and you are holding on so tight you might break.

And knowing you?

You're going to keep doing it,

because you think that's your job.

But mine, right now,

is to tell you that bottling up

doesn't help you or us.

Now, if you don't feel like you can show it to Mother,

I understand.

But it's just you and me.

Daddy.

I know I'm your baby,

but I am a grown woman

who is strong enough to be your shoulder right now,

the way you have been for me all of these years.

Please let me.

[phone chimes]

Hey, Dad. This is a surprise.

A good one, I hope.

Smitty.

I assume Martin filled you in on everything?

He did.

Yeah, I just left Kat.

I hope you were able to talk some sense into her.

Your mother wanted me to do that, too.

But we need to remember she's an adult.

We need to respect her choices, even if we disagree with them.

You can't be serious.

[phone chimes]

Oh, sorry, it's the hospital.

I hope everything's okay.

It is. In fact, things are going better than I expected.

And I think that's what's going to happen here.

Your mother and I raised two very strong-willed

and intelligent children, and that gives me hope

that if it comes down to it, if necessary,

Kat will get tested.

And you will, too.

We just have to give her the runway

to get there on her own.

Your dad does have a point, Martin.

Kat's never responded well to being pushed.

If you felt the same way Kat does, I would support you.

It's a father's job to be there for his children.

I know I've hurt trust between us,

but I'm working to rebuild it

by showing you both that I'm here for you,

no matter what.

[phone buzzing]

What's up?

Just checking in like I said I would.

Seriously?

You were just here like an hour ago.

Doesn't mean I stopped thinking about you.

You are okay, right?

You are very sweet.

Listen, I hear Chelsea coming in now,

so I've gotta go.

I'll talk to you tomorrow, okay?

Anita has breast cancer?

Oh, Bill... and Naomi and Chelsea may be in danger, too?

Unfortunately, yes.

If they inherited the gene variant.

My heart goes out to them all.

Babe, I'm so ashamed for how petty I was acting.

Please tell me you forgive me.

You didn't know, baby.

You didn't know.

In the Senate, in the movement,

I was a fighter.

Won most every battle I put my mind to.

Some folks still flinch when they hear your name.

I held my own in rooms filled with power.

But...

[sighs]

Tell me.

There's no negotiation here.

No handshake, no... no deal to strike.

I don't know how to fight this.

You didn't know how to fight racism.

You didn't have a plan,

just conviction.

And you showed up, day after day,

stood your ground.

You used your voice, your presence,

and your refusal to back down.

And my wife was right there, fighting beside me.

But this...

This time...

There will be days

when she is not strong enough to fight.

But you are not alone.

The daughters you... you raised together,

the ones you taught to stand tall,

to push through, and to throw a punch when needed?

We are stepping into this battle right next to you.

And right now, I'm here, Daddy.

I'm here to listen

and to hold the words that you can't share with her.

Being her husband means more to me

than anything I ever accomplished.

And to think that I may

wake up alone in this big old house one day,

and find that that

that beautiful, vibrant

soulful being

isn't here.

It's just...

[voice breaking]: It's just...

It's okay.

It's okay. Let it out, Daddy.

[sobs]

Let the good times roll!

Bill needs to stay in his lane.

- And if he doesn't? - You put him there.

Tell me what happened. Did someone hurt you?

Armstrong isn't someone you want to cross.

And neither am I.

I'd like to think this is the beginning of

a new phase for us.

They were both waiting to get their blood drawn.

KAT: If I hear one more thing

about gene testing or lab results,

I'm gonna have a breakdown.

The results aren't in yet, are they?

They are.

What did yours say?

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